The Rajasthan government has implemented a sweeping freeze on the creation of new administrative units across the state. This decisive move is aimed at ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted conduct of the upcoming national Census, scheduled for 2027.
What Does the Freeze Entail?
According to an official circular issued by the state, all administrative units have been frozen effective January 1. This prohibition will remain in force until the Census operations conclude around mid-2027. The order explicitly bans the formation of several key administrative entities.
The freeze applies to:
- New districts
- New sub-divisions
- New tehsils
- New towns
- New revenue villages
- New urban local bodies
Furthermore, the order mandates that no changes shall be made to the boundaries of any existing administrative units after December 31, 2025, until the Census-2027 process is fully completed. This effectively locks the state's administrative map in its current form for the next few years.
Exemptions and the Census Timeline
However, the freeze comes with a significant exemption. A senior official from the panchayati raj department clarified that the order does not affect the creation of new wards within panchayats. This includes zila parishads, panchayat samitis, and gram panchayats, as these are not classified as administrative units for the purpose of this Census directive.
This state-level freeze follows a prior relaxation granted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which had allowed the creation of new units only until December 31 of last year. Under the new order, all administrative boundaries will remain exactly as they were on that date.
The Indian government has charted a clear plan for the massive Census exercise. It will be conducted in two distinct phases:
- The House Listing and Housing Census: This first phase is slated to run from April to September of the coming year.
- The Population Enumeration: The second and main phase, where the actual counting of citizens takes place, is scheduled for February 2027.
Implications and Stability for the Count
This administrative freeze is a standard procedural step taken before every major Census. Its primary objective is to ensure geographical stability and consistency during the data collection period. Frequent changes in district borders or the creation of new units can lead to logistical confusion, duplication of data, or missed counts, compromising the accuracy of the national population record.
By putting a hold on such changes, the Rajasthan government aims to provide a fixed framework for census officials to work within. This will facilitate a more organized door-to-door survey and a reliable collection of demographic and socio-economic data, which is crucial for state and national planning, resource allocation, and policy formulation.
The move underscores the scale and importance of the decennial Census, which is the largest administrative and statistical exercise undertaken by the country.
